World Cup Toronto: Shaine Casas Doubles in 200 Backstroke/100 IM; Lilly King Rolls to 200 Breast Title
The first event of the FINA World Cup stop in Toronto set the tone for the session on Friday night, as Summer McIntosh registered a spectacular triumph over American Katie Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle. The remainder of the evening followed the momentum established by McIntosh, as several impressive performances were notched at the Pan Am Sports Centre. Here is a look at what unfolded in the other events.
Men’s 400 Freestyle
South African standout Matt Sates was the class of a strong field, as he claimed victory in 3:37.52, with the United States’ Kieran Smith securing the silver medal in 3:38.34. Sates surged to the front off the start and held that position during the first few laps. After falling back during the middle of the race, Sates picked up the pace over the last 100 meters to catch and surpass Smith. The bronze medal went to Danas Rapsys in 3:38.95.
Women’s 50 Backstroke
World-record holder Maggie Mac Neil of Canada reaffirmed her status as a sprint star by clocking the only sub-26 effort, a 25.96 mark that placed her on top of an all-Canadian podium. Mac Neil led the way from Kylie Masse (26.02) and Ingrid Wilm (26.18). Mac Neil has had a busy 24 hours, as she raced for Louisiana State in NCAA competition on Thursday before heading to Toronto for the World Cup.
Men’s 200 Backstroke
The reigning bronze medalist in the 200 backstroke from last summer’s World Championships, American Shaine Casas had no trouble getting to the wall first in World Cup action. Casas led wire to wire and touched the wall in 1:48.99 to defeat Canada’s Javier Acevedo (1:50.76) by nearly two seconds.
Women’s 200 Butterfly
It was a gold-silver finish for the United States, with Kelly Pash getting the best of Hali Flickinger. Pash covered her eight laps in 2:03.61, and fended off a late charge by Flickinger, who checked in at 2:04.00. Flickinger was coming off the 400 freestyle less than 30 minutes earlier, making her runnerup effort all the more impressive.
Men’s 100 Butterfly
Following his win in the event at the Berlin stop on the World Cup circuit, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos again bested the competition in the 100 fly. Le Clos dominated from the start to prevail in 48.88, Australian Matt Temple the silver medalist in 49.68. Le Clos has looked sharp during the World Cup series, an indication that his work with coach Dirk Lange is paying dividends. Third place went to American Trenton Julian in 49.75.
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
There was another wire-to-wire win, as Lilly King finished more than a second clear of Canadian Sydney Pickrem. King delivered a triumphant time of 2:18.43, with Pickrem following in 2:19.71. Although King was best known for her 50 and 100 exploits during the early portions of her career, her 200 breaststroke has caught up with the sprints. She was the world champion in the event over the summer.
Men’s 100 Breaststroke
Nic Fink has been on a roll and that momentum carried into his opening event of the Toronto leg. Fink backed up his first-place finish from Berlin with a comfortable decision in Canada. Fink posted a time of 56.39 for the 100 breast, which was nearly a second quicker than the 57.33 of University of Texas standout Caspar Corbeau. Another collegian, Cal’s Reece Whitley, grabbed the third spot on the podium with a swim of 57.45.
Women’s 50 Freestyle
Another winner from the Berlin leg came out on top in Toronto, thanks to Kasia Wasick and her Polish record in the 50 free. Wasick put together a no-doubt-about-it victory, touching the wall in 23.27. That time was nearly a second ahead of the 23.74 of Maggie Mac Neil, who was the winner of the 50 backstroke earlier in the night. Third place went to Aussie Madison Wilson in 23.89.
Men’s 50 Freestyle
Dylan Carter has enjoyed the World Cup series, flashing his pure speed in a variety of 50-meter distances. After winning three sprint events in Berlin, Carter grabbed the title in the 50 freestyle on Night One in Toronto as he was the only athlete to crack the 21-second barrier. Carter went 20.91 to defeat American Brooks Curry (21.07) and Aussie Kyle Chalmers (21.10).
Women’s 100 Individual Medley
Louise Hansson of Sweden was in command through the opening butterfly and backstroke legs, but it was France’s Beryl Gastaldello who excelled over the back half and got to the wall first. Gastaldello emerged on top in 57.97 to edge American Beata Nelson, who was timed in 58.06. Hansson earned a podium spot in 58.31.
Men’s 100 Individual Medley
Coming off a win in the 200 backstroke earlier in the night, Shaine Casas dominated the action in the 100 individual medley to go 2-for-2 on the evening. Casas bolted to the front of the field on the opening butterfly leg and never relinquished the lead on the way to a swim of 51.03, which was ahead of the 51.69 of runnerup Thomas Ceccon of Italy. Third place went to Matt Sates in 51.87.